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March 24, 2026
拒jù(ju4)
The character 拒 (jù) means to resist, repel, or refuse something. It is often used in contexts where someone is declining an invitation, rejecting an offer, or defending against an unwanted action. The nuance of this word can imply a strong or firm refusal, making it suitable for both personal and formal rejections.
Strokes7Radical扌Frequency#7544DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of refusal can be more indirect compared to Western cultures, often involving a degree of politeness. The character 拒 is relevant in discussions about saving face and maintaining harmony in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strong wall (the radical 扌 representing hand) pushing away an unwanted object, symbolizing the act of refusing or resisting. You can think of it as '拒绝 (jù jué)' where '拒' is like a hand saying 'No!' to something unwanted.
Meanings of 拒
jù(ju4)
1to resist
2to repel
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 拒
拒Simplified
7Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#7544Frequency Rank
Podcast: 拒
Podcast: 拒
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AI Study Notes for 拒
Quick Contrast
拒 (jù) vs 反对 (fǎnduì) — use 拒 (jù) for personal refusals or rejections, while 反对 (fǎnduì) is more about opposing ideas or proposals.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a strong wall (the radical 扌 representing hand) pushing away an unwanted object, symbolizing the act of refusing or resisting. You can think of it as '拒绝 (jù jué)' where '拒' is like a hand saying 'No!' to something unwanted.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 拒 with 许 (xǔ), which means to permit or allow. This character is more commonly used in formal contexts, like rejecting proposals or offers, and should be used with the correct tone to convey firmness. Common collocations include 拒绝邀请 (jùjué yāoqǐng) - to refuse an invitation.
HSK Study Tips
Although 拒 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects well with other HSK vocabulary related to social interactions and decision-making, such as 允许 (yǔnxǔ - to allow) and 同意 (tóngyì - to agree). Students should focus on using it in context to express refusals clearly.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of refusal can be more indirect compared to Western cultures, often involving a degree of politeness. The character 拒 is relevant in discussions about saving face and maintaining harmony in social interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 拒 with 否 (fǒu), which also means to reject but is less formal. For example, saying '我否这个邀请' (Wǒ fǒu zhège yāoqǐng) is incorrect; it should be '我拒绝这个邀请' (Wǒ jùjué zhège yāoqǐng).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 拒
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Grammar Patterns of 拒
拒 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Police refused to say if the couple died in a suicide pact.
10
他们引证了亚历克斯拒绝回到婚后的家中一事。
tā mén yǐn zhèng le yà lì kè sī jù jué huí dào hūn hòu de jiā zhōng yī shì。
They cited Alex's refusal to return to the marital home.
Cultural Notes for 拒
💡Did you know?
The character 拒 (jù) has a strong visual component, with the radical 手 (shǒu), meaning 'hand,' indicating an action of pushing away or defending against something.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of refusal can be more indirect compared to Western cultures, often involving a degree of politeness. The character 拒 is relevant in discussions about saving face and maintaining harmony in social interactions.
📜Proverb
In Chinese culture, to refuse can sometimes be seen as a sign of politeness, especially in social situations where direct acceptance may not be appropriate.
Word Family of 拒
Words Containing This Character13
拒绝jùjuéto refuse拒絕
拒jùto resist
抗拒kàngjùto resist
拒之门外to lock one's door and refuse to see sb拒之門外
拒捕to resist arrest
婉拒to tactfully decline
来者不拒to refuse nobody (idiom)來者不拒
不可抗拒act of God
拒付to refuse to pay
拒收to reject
拒斥to reject
抵拒to resist
深闭固拒stubborn and perverse深閉固拒
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 拒绝 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 拒
To say 'I refuse' in Chinese, you can say '我拒绝' (Wǒ jùjué). This phrase directly translates to 'I refuse' and is commonly used in conversations when declining something.
Some synonyms for 拒 (jù) include 拒绝 (jùjué), which also means 'to refuse,' and 排斥 (páichì), meaning 'to reject' or 'to repel.' Understanding these synonyms can help you express similar ideas in different contexts.
You can use 拒 (jù) in sentences like '我拒绝了他的请求' (Wǒ jùjuéle tā de qǐngqiú), which means 'I refused his request.' It can also be used in contexts like '拒绝恶劣行为' (jùjué èliè xíngwéi), meaning 'to resist bad behavior.'
拒 (jù) means 'to refuse' or 'to resist.' It is often used in contexts where someone is turning down a request or rejecting an offer. The character can also imply repelling something or someone.
Yes, while 拒 is often used in formal contexts, it can also be applied in informal settings when expressing a refusal.
Similar words include 反对 (fǎnduì - to oppose) and 不同意 (bù tóngyì - to disagree), which also convey rejection but in different contexts.
You can say '我拒绝这个提议' (Wǒ jùjué zhège tíyì) meaning 'I refuse this proposal'.
